BRAVE Beth Morris who has battled leukaemia since she was a baby has undergone a lifesaving bone marrow transplant.

A mystery donor from Germany gave Beth aged five, who has fought the disease since she was born, a chance of life.

Beth and her parents finally have plenty to smile about after the transplant marked the end of a long ordeal. And recovering at home today she waved a cheerful "hello" to her school pals and gave a big "thank-you" to Bolton Evening News readers for their support. Her parents, Janet and Jeremy from Ringley, kept the operation a closely-guarded secret.

Only her nearest family and friends knew about the operation which took place at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury, last month.

She spent a month in an isolation room -- where only her mother, father and grandmother were allowed access. To pass away the time, she watched a video made by her school friends who sent messages of support from St Saviour Primary, Ringley.

And to prove that she is on the road to recovery, Beth wanted to send a message of thanks to them through the pages of the Bolton Evening News.

Janet said: "The video was wonderful. All Beth's friends sang songs and sent little messages to her which she watched whilst in hospital. She just wants to say hello back."

Beth was diagnosed with the blood disease in 1997. After treatment she went into remission until last year when the leukaemia came back.

Her family were dealt a further blow last March when her sister, Rachel, was unable to donate her bone marrow to save Beth. A bone marrow transplant scheduled for January was also cancelled at the last minute.

Next week Beth celebrates her sixth birthday but, because she is in semi-isolation until September, none of her school friends will be able to attend. Instead she will still celebrate with a quiet family gathering at her Hollow Meadow home on May 31.

Janet said: "Beth was having more and more chemotherapy treatment to fight the leukaemia and she was finding it hard to cope with life.

"The transplant was her final hope. It all happened very suddenly. It had all fallen through in the past and we wanted to protect Beth by keeping it very quiet, even from our friends."

News of a donor, a man from Germany who was on a donor databank, broke on April 9. Hours later, Beth was having the transfusion.

Janet said: "It was very exciting and very emotional. We were all crying, but Beth slept through it all. She was a little poorly after the transfusion and her body is still trying to reject the marrow, but the rejection is under control.

"It will be five years before the hospital give the final all-clear. And it will be another six months of semi-isolation for Elizabeth before she can mix freely with other people." The Morris family, who have campaigned for local people to join the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust as donors, wish to thank all the BEN readers all their support -- for their fund raising efforts and for becoming volunteer bone marrow donors.

Janet said: "I am sure that they will save many lives. It would be true to say that we have been overwhelmed by their kindness and generosity.

"The past 18 months have obviously been very difficult for us and it has helped us to know that so many people have supported Beth during this time."

Roy Smith, headteacher of St Saviour Primary, said: "We are hoping she will be back at school, fully fit as soon as possible. We miss her happy, smiling face and just want her to get well soon."